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Ready Player One is an upcoming American science-fiction adventure film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, based on Cline’s novel of the same name. The film stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg, and T. J. Miller. The film is scheduled to be released on March 30, 2018.

Premise

In the dystopian near-future, much of Earth’s population centers have become slum-like cities; to escape their desolation, people engage in the virtual reality world of the OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation), where they can engage in numerous activities for work, education, and entertainment.

Wade Owen Watts is a teenager from Columbus, Ohio who frequents the OASIS and attempts to win “Anorak’s Game”, a game created by the recently-deceased creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, in search of its Easter Egg. The winner is to be granted full ownership of the OASIS and Halliday’s $240 billion fortune. While Wade works with several friends from the OASIS to discover Anorak’s treasure, the corporate giant Innovative Online Industries (IOI) employs a number of players to try to discover the treasure first and seize control of OASIS for themselves.

Cultural references

As with the book, the film has numerous homages to the popular culture of the 1980s. Among licensed characters and elements used in the film include The Iron Giant, the DeLorean time machinefrom Back to the Future, outfitted with KITT from Knight Rider, the DC Comics universe, The Lord of the Rings, Freddy Kruger, Duke Nukem, the possessed car from Christine, the van from The A-Team, the modified Ford Falcon used in Mad Max, the monster truck Bigfoot, and Kaneda’s motorcycle from Akira.[3][4] Spielberg recognized that his past films were a significant part of the 1980s popular culture, and to avoid being accused of “vanity”, he opted to avoid using many references to his own films.[5]

Cast

Tye Sheridan as Wade Owen Watts / Parzival[6]

Olivia Cooke as Samantha Evelyn Cook / Art3mis[7]

Ben Mendelsohn as Nolan Sorrento[8]

Mark Rylance as James Donovan Halliday / Anorak[9]

Simon Pegg as Ogden Morrow[10]

T. J. Miller as i-R0k[11]

Lena Waithe as Aech[12]

Hannah John-Kamen[13]

Win Morisaki as Daito[14]

Philip Zhao as Shoto[15]

Ralph Ineson[16] as Rick

Letitia Wright as Reb

Production

On June 18, 2010, it was announced that Warner Bros. and De Line Pictures had won the auction from Paramount, Fox, and Temple Hill Entertainment of the film rights to the sci-fi novel Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which was not yet published.[17] Cline was set to write the script for the film, which Donald De Line and Dan Farah would produce.[17] Eric Eason rewrote Cline’s script,[18] and Zak Penn was hired to rewrite the previous drafts by Cline and Eason. Village Roadshow Pictures came aboard to co-finance and co-produce the film with WB.[19] Steven Spielberg signed on to direct and produce the film, which Kristie Macosko Krieger would also produce along with Line and Farah.[20]

Casting

Three actresses were top-runners for the role of Art3mis: Elle Fanning, Olivia Cooke, and Lola Kirke;[21] In September 2015, Cooke was announced as the female lead role.[7] Ben Mendelsohn was cast in the film to play the villainous role as an executive for an OASIS-based corporation.[8] Tye Sheridan was confirmed for the lead role of Wade at the end of February 2016.[6] In mid-March 2016, Simon Pegg entered final talks to join the cast in the role of Ogden Morrow, co-creator of the OASIS.[10] Mark Rylance joined the cast as James Halliday, the creator of OASIS.[9] In June 2016, T. J. Miller was cast in the film to play a bounty hunter,[11] Hannah John-Kamen was cast for an unspecified supporting role,[13] and Japanese singer-actor Win Morisaki was cast as Toshiro Yoshiaki, also known as Daito.[14]

Filming

Production was slated to begin in July 2016.[22] Screenwriter Zak Penn tweeted on July 1, 2016, that the first week of filming was completed.[23] In August and September 2016, filming took place in Birmingham, England which included Livery Street in the Jewellery Quarter area which also utilized the backpackers hostel Hatters for internal filming, other locations in the city included the formal industry area of Digbeth with the setting in grungy dystopian Ohio.[24][25]

Music

On June 9, 2016, Variety stated that Spielberg’s regular collaborator John Williams was planning to compose the film’s score.[26] However in July 2017, it was reported that Williams had left the project to work on Spielberg’s The Papers instead, with Alan Silvestri hired to take over scoring duties for Ready Player One.[1]

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Black Panther is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the eighteenth film installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler from a screenplay by him and Joe Robert Cole, and stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther alongside Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. In Black Panther, T’Challa returns home as king of Wakanda but finds his sovereignty challenged by a long-time adversary in a conflict that has global consequences.

Wesley Snipes first mentioned his intention to work on a Black Panther film in 1992, with that project going through multiple iterations over the next decade but never coming to fruition. A Black Panther film was announced as one of the ten films based on Marvel comics that would be developed by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures in September 2005, with Mark Bailey hired to write a script in January 2011. Black Panther was officially announced in October 2014, with Boseman appearing first in Captain America: Civil War. By the end of 2015, Cole and Coogler had both joined Black Panther, and additional cast members came on board beginning in May 2016. Principal photography for the film took place from January to April 2017, at EUE/Screen Gems Studios and Pinewood Atlanta Studios in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and Busan, South Korea.

Premise

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to Wakanda. He soon finds his sovereignty challenged by factions within his own country. When two enemies conspire to bring down the kingdom, T’Challa must team up, as the Black Panther, with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje—Wakanda’s special forces—to prevent a world war.[2]

The king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda,[3][4][5][6] who gains enhanced strength by ingesting the Heart-Shaped Herb.[7] Producer Kevin Feige described the character as “a bit of a prince, he may even become a bit of a king, but it’s all about how this isolationist country [of Wakanda] meets the world.”[5] Screenwriter Joe Robert Cole added that after the events of Captain America: Civil War and the death of his father, “…we’ll be able to see [T’Challa] mourning and him starting to take command as king of his own nation.”[3] Boseman, who called T’Challa an anti-hero,[8] said that he is “very much aware of the responsibility” and “how important his role and his position is” as the leader of Wakanda.[9] Black Panther’s suit that forms around his body was inspired by a similar design seen in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther comic book run.[10] He worked with the same dialect coach he had during Message from the King for the film.[8] Boseman signed a five-film contract with Marvel.[11]

Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger:

A Wakandan exile who seeks to overthrow T’Challa.[12][13] Executive producer Nate Moore said Killmonger “has his own opinion on how Wakanda has been run and should [be] run”, and “is a voice of a different side of Wakanda” which “puts T’Challa in a difficult situation”.[14] Killmonger’s bumpy, ritualistic tribal markings on his chest and torso resemble the scar tattoos of the Mursiand Surma tribes.[15] Jordan noted the character’s dreadlocks hairstyle was a way “to stay true to the original character[‘s long hair] as much as possible and make it as modern as we could.”[16]Jordan, who had “been wanting to play a villain for a while,”[17] likened Kilmonger and T’Challa’s relationship to the X-Men characters Magneto and Professor X.[16] He added that Kilmonger is “very strategic, thoughtful. He’s very patient. Very well skilled, trained to a T. He works very hard, and he feels what he’s doing is right.”[18] Corey Calliet once again served as Jordan’s trainer on the film, after doing so on Creed.[19]

Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia:

T’Challa’s former lover and an undercover operative of the Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces of Wakanda who serve as T’Challa’s bodyguards.[20][21][14][22] Nyong’o called Nakia a “departure” from her comic counterpart, saying she “is a war dog. She is basically an undercover spy for Wakanda. Her job is to go out into the world and report back on what’s going on.”[14]

Danai Gurira as Okoye:

An “extremely proud” Wakandan and traditionalist from the Border Tribe, who is the head of the Dora Milaje.[20][23][24] When looking to cast Gurira, director Ryan Coogler had not seen The Walking Dead, in which Gurira portrays the popular character Michonne, and instead wanted her for the part because of her performance in Mother of George. Gurira said that the fighting skills she learned playing Michonne complemented the skills of Okoye, but that “there’s a lot of ways that they’re extremely different … Okoye is a whole ‘nother thing.”[25] Gurira described the Dora Milaje as “more like a secret service in a sense that it’s also very much about intel. It’s not just military,” with Okoye the head of intel. Regarding Okoye’s stoic demeanor, Gurira said, “She can be serious, but she also has an unexpected sense of humor. She has a heart, but for her country and for her people. She’s not a person who doesn’t connect to human beings as a result of what she does.”[24]

Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross: A member of the Joint Counter Terrorism Center.[1][13]

Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi: A confidant to T’Challa and his best friend, who is the head of security for the Border Tribe, serving as the first line of defense for Wakanda.[26][14]

Angela Bassett as Ramonda:

T’Challa’s mother.[27] Boseman noted that Ramonda “is one of the advisors that [T’Challa] would look to… for some of the answers of what his father might want or might do. She may not be exactly right all the time, but she definitely has insights.”[14] Calliet also served as Bassett’s trainer, working with her before she began filming and while she was on set, by creating high-intensity interval training circuits and helping to craft her diet.[19]

Forest Whitaker as Zuri:

An elder statesman in Wakanda, and the keeper of the Heart-Shaped Herb.[26][14] Coogler noted that Zuri was a religious and spiritual figure, and was a way to reference the spirituality within Wakanda from the comics. He also added that Zuri “is a major tie back” to T’Chaka for T’Challa, and felt Zuri was “Black Panther’s version of Obi-Wan Kenobi.”[28]

Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue:

A black-market arms dealer, smuggler and gangster working out of South Africa,[1][13] and allied with Killmonger,[14] who uses a piece of advanced Wakandan mining equipment as a sonic disruptor arm-cannon.[29][10] Boseman describes Klaue as a threat to Wakanda, as one of the few outsiders to enter the country and his access to vibranium, comparing him to Osama bin Laden.[30]

Additionally, Florence Kasumba and John Kani reprise their roles as Ayo and T’Chaka respectively from Captain America: Civil War.[26][31] Winston Duke portrays M’Baku, a powerful, ruthless warrior who is the leader of Wakanda’s mountain tribe, the Jabari, who are in protest to T’Challa being the new king.[32] Duke describe the Jabari as people who “strongly believe that to move forward, you have to have a strong adherence and respect for the past. So they have a deep moral conscience” and that M’Baku “deeply cares about his people… [and] his country as a whole.”[33] M’Baku is also the head of the religious minority in Wakanda, who worship the gorilla. Character elements from Christopher Priest’s 1998-2003 Black Panther series were adapted for the film.[32] Letitia Wright portrays T’Challa’s sister Shuri, the princess of Wakanda who designs new technology for the country. Wright described her as “an innovative spirit and an innovative mind” who “wants to take Wakanda to a new place… [and] has a great fashion sense”. Wright also felt Shuri was “vibrant” and “refreshing”, and was a good role model for young black girls.[34] Sterling K. Brown plays N’Jobu, a figure from T’Challa’s past,[35] Isaach de Bankolé plays the elder of one of the largest tribes in Wakanda,[36] and Nabiyah Be portrays the criminal Tilda Johnson.[37] Sydelle Noel portrays a member of the Dora Milaje,[38] and Atandwa Kani has been cast in an undisclosed role.[31]

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Maze Runner: The Death Cure (also known simply as The Death Cure) is an upcoming American dystopian science-fiction action thriller film directed by Wes Ball, based on The Death Cure, the final book in The Maze Runner trilogy, written by James Dashner, with a screenplay by T.S. Nowlin. It is the sequel to the 2015 film Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and the third and final installment in the Maze Runner film series.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure was originally set to be released on February 17, 2017, in the United States by 20th Century Fox, but the studio rescheduled the film for February 9, 2018 in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D, allowing time for Dylan O’Brien to fully recover from his injuries sustained on-set.

Premise

In the conclusion to the Maze Runner trilogy, Thomas and the surviving Gladers prepare to face off against WCKD one last time as they fight to find a cure for the deadly disease known as The Flare that has wiped out most of the world. Friendships and loyalties will be tested and the fight against WCKD will also determine who will survive in the end.

Cast

Dylan O’Brien as Thomas

Kaya Scodelario as Teresa Agnes

Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt

Dexter Darden as Frypan

Nathalie Emmanuel as Harriet

Giancarlo Esposito as Jorge

Aidan Gillen as Janson

Walton Goggins as Lawrence

Ki Hong Lee as Minho

Jacob Lofland as Aris Jones

Barry Pepper as Vince

Will Poulter as Gally

Rosa Salazar as Brenda

Patricia Clarkson as Ava Paige

Production

In March 2015, it was confirmed that T.S. Nowlin, who co-wrote the first and wrote the second film, is set to adapt The Maze Runner: Death Cure.[1]

Wes Ball confirmed that, if he returns to direct, the film will not be split into two movies.[2]

On September 16, 2015, it was confirmed that Ball would return to direct the final film.

Filming

Principal photography began on March 14, 2016, in Vancouver.[3][4] Previously it was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con International that filming would begin in February 2016.[5]

On March 18, 2016, it was reported that actor Dylan O’Brien was injured on set and was hospitalized. James Dashner announced via Twitter that the production was postponed after the accident.[6] It was said that the producers were “looking to” resume filming around mid-May.[7] According to the Directors Guild of Canada’s production list, the film was scheduled to resume filming on May 9, and complete principal photography on July 26. However, on April 29, 2016, production was shut down indefinitely as O’Brien’s injuries were more serious than previously thought.[8]

Filming resumed on March 6, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa.[9][10][11] In May 2017, it was announced that Walton Goggins would play the part of Lawrence, described as “an unusual and dangerous character who is part-revolutionary, part-anarchist, and a voice for the voiceless people.”[12] Principal photography wrapped on June 3, 2017.[13]

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Extinction is an upcoming 2018 American science-fiction thriller film directed by Ben Young and written by Spenser Cohen, Eric Heisserer and Brad Kane. The film is about a father suffers from a recurring dream about the lost of his family while witnessing the force bent on destruction. The film stars Lizzy Caplan, Michael Peña, Mike Colter, Lilly Aspell, Emma Booth, Israel Broussard and Lex Shrapnel. The film is scheduled to be released on January 26, 2018. This was Mandeville Films’ first film to be distributed under the Universal Pictures banner.

Premise

A father has a recurring dream of losing his family. His nightmare turns into reality when the planet is invaded by a force bent on destruction. Fighting for their lives, he comes to realize an unknown strength to keep them safe from harm.

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Downsizing is an upcoming 2017 American science fiction comedy-drama film written and directed by Alexander Payne and co-written by Jim Taylor. The film stars Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris, Maribeth Monroe, and Jason Sudeikis. Principal photography on the film began on April 1, 2016 in Ontario, Canada. Paramount Pictures will release the film on December 22, 2017.

Premise

A man and his wife who, deciding that their lives have gotten out of hand, decide to voluntarily have themselves shrunk down. Unfortunately for the man, his wife backs out at the last minute.[1]

Cast

Matt Damon as Wiig’s character husband and a man who decides to shrink himself in order to find a better life.

Kristen Wiig[2] as Damon’s character wife

Christoph Waltz[3]

Alec Baldwin

Neil Patrick Harris

Maribeth Monroe as Actress

Jason Sudeikis

Hong Chau[3] as Gong Jiang

Rolf Lassgård[4]

Don Lake as Matt

Margo Martindale

Paul Mabon as Roger

Laura Dern

Niecy Nash

Joaquim de Almeida as Dr. Oswaldo Pereira

Bruce Willis

Production

During the seven-year hiatus between the releases of Sideways (2004) and The Descendants (2011), Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor spent two and a half years on the script for Downsizing, which was originally meant to have been the director’s next film after Sideways. However, the project was superseded by the productions of The Descendants and Nebraska (2013).[5] On November 5, 2014, it was officially announced that Downsizing will be Payne’s next film after Nebraska.[6] 20th Century Fox was originally going to distribute the film until October 2, 2015, when it was announced that Paramount Pictures acquired distribution rights.[7] On January 8, 2015, it was announced that Annapurna Pictures will finance and produce the film.[8] Payne’s production company, Ad Hominem Enterprises, is also involved with the production.[6] Payne and Mark Johnson would produce the film, whose script was co-written by Payne and Jim Taylor.[3]

Rolfe Kent composed the film’s score.[9]

Casting

Reese Witherspoon has been attached to project since 2009, when Paul Giamatti and Sacha Baron Cohen were both originally set to star.[10][11] On November 5, 2014, Damon was officially cast in the film.[12] On January 7, 2015, it was confirmed that Witherspoon was still participating in the project, marking her first collaboration with Payne since Election (1999).[13][14] On January 8, it was announced that Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Sudeikis have joined the cast.[15] On March 10, 2016, Christoph Waltz and Hong Chau joined the film.[3] On March 29, 2016, it was announced that Kristen Wiig had replaced Witherspoon for the female lead role.[2] In August 2016, it was announced that Margo Martindale had been cast in a small role.[16]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began on April 1, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at York University. Filming was also taken place in Omaha, Los Angeles, and Trollfjorden in Norway.[17][18][19][20]

STORYLINE

Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as The Terminator in this explosive action-adventure spectacle. Now he’s one of the good guys, sent back in time to protect John Connor, the boy destined to lead the freedom fighters of the future. Linda Hamilton reprises her role as Sarah Connor, John’s mother, a quintessential survivor who has been institutionalized for her warning of the nuclear holocaust she knows is inevitable. Together, the threesome must find a way to stop the ultimate enemy – the T-1000, the most lethal Terminator ever created.

Storyline

Over 10 years have passed since the first cyborg called The Terminator tried to kill Sarah Connor and her unborn son, John Connor. John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance, is now a healthy young boy. However another Terminator is sent back through time called the T-1000, which is more advanced and more powerful than its predecessor. The Mission: to kill John Connor when he’s still a child. However, Sarah and John do not have to face this threat of a Terminator alone. Another Terminator is also sent back through time. The mission: to protect John and Sarah Connor at all costs. The battle for tomorrow has begun…